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Environmental and Social Management Framework4.2.3 Increase in Land ValuesRoad construction leads to appreciation of land values in many places,particularly along the road corridor, which directly contributes to increasedproperty value of the households. The value of land increases sharply as soon asthe road link is developed ensuring reliable transportation. Road also contributesto rapid commercialization of agriculture which is also a major factor to raise theland value as a result of which many villagers are in a position to initiate modernfarming and diversify their production. Increased land values also enhancefarmers’ capability for borrowing loans on collaterals. High value lands are easilyacceptable to banks and micro-finance institutions to provide loans. Local farmfamilies in particular are benefited due to increased value of land after theconstruction of road and this will have significant ramifications in addressingpoverty of many poor families living along the road corridor.In the context of increasing land values it needs to be considered that this willalso have negative aspects for some groups. This refers to a common trend thatpoor locals are pressurized to sell their lands to the wealthy and influentialpeople, often outsiders, and would eventually be displaced from their home area.4.2.4 Enhancement in Technical Skills and Know-HowThe underlying policy of the DoR to propose maximum use of local people forconstruction works lies in the unique chances for the transfer of skills andtechnical know-how in construction and related technical sectors. Considerablenumber employed work forces will convert themselves into fully skilled labourersin works such as masonry, gabion wires weaving, construction of dry andfoundation walls, slope cutting and stabilization, rock cutting, bio-engineeringworks etc. These skills will not only benefit the locals by providing long-termemployment opportunity but also contribute to local human resource developmentin regions that otherwise have restricted opportunities.4.2.5 Easement of Former Environmental ProblemsOne of the major problems of the gravel and earthen road is dust which directlyaffects the health of the people living in the vicinity. As applicable andincorporated in the project design, sealed gravel standard or bituminous surfaceroad will substantially reduce the dust nuisance. It will also make easy for vehiclemovement thereby reducing amounts of unborn carbon, oxides of sulphur andnitrogen. This impact has beneficial implications on human health. Schoolchildren, health posts, market areas along the road pedestrians etc. will relievedfrom dust nuisance.One of the major activities of the road works in the envisaged program is tostabilize slopes through proper drainage management, retaining structures andbio-engineering. The project will treat rill and sheet erosion. Similarly, slopefailures and landslides will be stabilized. This is a direct and identified beneficialimpact as potential landslide and erosion areas will be stabilized and protected byconstruction and maintenance of road.4.2.6 Improved Access to Services and Decrease in Transportation CostRoads, especially paved roads will provide all weather transportation service tothe local people and others. Quick access to, for example health posts may becrucial in everyday life. In addition, the overall vehicle operating cost will bereduced and thereby transportation cost will be decreased. The journey will becomfortable and travel time will be saved. Similarly, the wear and tear of thevehicles will be less; and fuel consumption of the vehicles will also be lessresulting into saving in the hard currency for the import of these commodities.Chapter 4-4 April 2007
Environmental and Social Management FrameworkAccess to inputs and services is severely constrained without suitable roadtransportation facilities. In most of Nepal’s remote areas, porters and mules arethe only means of transporting any input or output in the area. As a result ofdifficult and expensive access, the use of inputs and services is far below thepotential in all sub sectors of the economy such as agriculture, horticulture andlivestock and, to lesser extent, handicraft products.Once the road comes into operation, people will have improved access to manyinputs such as seeds, chemical fertilizer, irrigation and technology leading toincreased agricultural production and diversification. Crop investment andoperation costs are expected to become considerably reduced. Same would bethe case for marketing the local products, which have experienced difficult accessto get into the bigger markets. This will enhance economic activities within thearea through the increase of employment opportunities and income level. Theservice sector will equally benefit from improved road access. This will includesetting up new educational facilities in private and public sector, andimplementation of health, hygiene and drinking water programs by governmentand NGOs. The operation of road will also contribute to raise quality services insocial sector as more competent agencies and people will enter into the area toprovide the services. Road transportation will also encourage students to enrol inhigher grades at campus level, which will become possible after the operation ofregular vehicles along the road. Students can attend classes even in distantareas after efficient transportation service. Qualified doctors and other serviceproviders will be encouraged to stay in the area.4.2.7 Gender-Specific BenefitsRoad transportation will benefit local women by providing improved access tomarket facilities. Mobility will considerably increase while more efficient roadtransportation systems will be in place. Women, in specific, may therefore get intoa better position to attend various service agencies such as hospitals, healthclinics, training institutes, women development programs etc. More frequent visitto such organizations will increase women's knowledge and awareness level. Girlstudents will be encouraged to go to schools that will become easier accessible.In Nepal, road development in rural areas will thus contribute to women’sempowerment and facilitate their struggle in escaping widespread discriminationand economic disadvantages.4.2.8 Exploitation of Untapped PotentialImproved road connectivity will provide access to sites insofar recognized for theircultural scientific, historic, scenic and social values but practically secluded fromprospering from these values. This holds particularly true for the potential todevelop tourism that will both geared towards environmental education and tobring economic opportunities to the local area.4.2.9 Poverty AlleviationCase studies analyzed in the ADB special evaluation (IES: REG 2003-15) TheImpact of Rural Roads on Poverty Reduction October 2002 showed that roadaccess significantly alleviated poverty by improving economic opportunities andaccess to services. However, benefits varied depending on the geographicalcontext, such as the regional economy, agricultural potential, proximity totransport networks, world market prices, availability of services, as well as socialstructure and concentration of assets.April 2007 Chapter 4-5
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